Implicit Bias in Speech-Language Pathology: A Journey Towards Inclusive Care

Authors' Names

Jackie Sullivan, University of Montana, MissoulaFollow

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Category

Social Sciences/Humanities

Abstract/Artist Statement

To gauge implicit bias in communication sciences and disorders (CSD), the proposed study aims to understand how identity as racial/ethnic or linguistic minority affects individuals’ diagnoses with speech-language disorders. In addition, we aim to see whether clinicians’ identities as black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) or non-standard language speakers affect their biases. Prior work has shown that clinicians' explicit racial biases affect patient care, matching expectations, but little work has examined bias of language variety spoken by patients or clinicians’ implicit biases. Many institutions fail to mandate cultural competency training, contributing to systemic issues. Our planned research explores and assesses current cultural competency to justify additional training on inclusivity racial disparities in CSD, improving overall patient care.

Mentor Name

Danielle Fahey

Personal Statement

There is no such thing as proper English, linguistically speaking. Every individual speaks a dialect, and all dialects are equally logical and able to express meaning. Dialects are often mistaken for deficits or disordered speech and language because they can overlap due to the variability in dialects. Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), who treat speech and language disorders and impairments, are 95% white females, but are not extensively trained in language and dialectal variances. Everyone has different biases about language and dialects whether it be believing that differences are always a deficit or believing that they are not competent enough to treat people with dialectal differences, and therefore turn patients away. Lack of understanding of dialect results in both under- and over-diagnoses of minority dialect speakers with a speech disorder. SLPs are unique among clinical professionals in that cultural-linguistic variations are inherently part of what is treated, however implicit biases are getting in the way of SLPs understanding how to treat individuals with dialectal-linguistic differences. To understand SLPs’ beliefs about dialectal differences and disordered speech, it is important to understand their subconscious beliefs about language and dialects. My project examines implicit biases about multilingual populations and ethno-racial minorities, and the effects of these biases on speech services. We will be using a Matched Guise Technique (MGT) to measure these biases. MGT allows us to examine the biases of the listener, by manipulating the speaker’s physical appearance while the voice remains constant. In this project, we will use MGT to pair non-native English speakers’ and native English speakers’ voices to different racial presentations. In addition, we will present all voices as having both non-disordered and disordered speech. This will allow us to see how SLPs can decipher between disordered speech and non-disordered speech, and how race and non-native voice influences this decision. The value of this research is better understanding the impact of implicit bias on speech-language services and how SLPs are subconsciously factoring in dialectal differences and racial presentation when diagnosing/misdiagnosing speech disorders. By addressing and understanding these biases, we will be able to improve the quality of care for diverse populations and understand what further education is needed in diversity equity and inclusion training programs within the field of Speech-Language Pathology.